There was once a time Pacific High School enjoyed success on the football field. In fact. a pair of Hall of Fame members at the San Bernardino school are Rick Kay, one of the greatest prep linebackers ever to play in the area, and Mark Collins, both of whom played in the NFL.

Those were during the days before the San Bernardino district expanded to six high schools; after an intra-city rivalry between Pacific and San Bernardino would draw a full house at Orange Show Stadium; the days both schools were highly competitive in the rough-and-tumble Citrus Belt League. But all that is history, and has been for some time..

Michael Aragon is working to restore those days. Midway into his fourth season as the school’s head football coach, he has won more games (19 heading into Friday’s game at Bloomington) than the Pirates did on the first 14 years of the 21st Century. Aragon went into the final nonleague matchup of the 2017 season with an overall 19-17 mark, which includes a 1-9 campaign in 2015.

As Bob Dylan wrote and sung in 1964, “The Times They Are a-Changin’.”

For openers, Pacific won the Mountain Valley League title in 2016 and die-hard fans were left scrambling to find out when the last time the Pirates were league contender. The Pirates also won a CIF playoff game, another rarity.

What makes it more impressive is that the 41-year-old is a walk-on coach. His full-time job with San Bernardino County is with the Children Family Service Department, working from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Fifteen minutes later, the Pirates begin practice, with or without Aragon.

“They know the routine,” he said earlier this week, with the 25-man team getting practice underway while he was being interviewed. Joe Ruiz, who played alongside Aragon at Cajon under Rich Imbriani, is an assistant, as are Donnell Bryant and Albert Villanos, who returned to his alma mater after playing at Idaho State. “They are excited about playing, getting out here.”

Aragon started his career at Pacific following a 2013 call from legendary coach Don Markham, the multi-CIF Southern Section championship coach. Following a lunch, spent discussing the double-wing offense they both employed, Markham offered Aragon a job on the lower level. However, prior to the 2014 season, Markham resigned due to health concerns and Aragon was promoted to the head job.

“I had a good experience with Markham,” said Aragon. “We had great discussions about offense and defense; I learned quite a bit from him.”

In his first year, Aragon went 4-6, the best school record since 2005. However, Pacific slipped to 1-9 the next year and several players opted out of the program and transferred. The Pirates rebounded quite nicely, posting a 10-2 mark last season.

Pride in the program is very evident. The Pirates have new uniforms — six different combinations — and a recent road game at Hemet resulted in a bus for the band and another for students, another rarity.

With its campus stadium undergoing renovations, the Pirates will not play in the city until the MVL finale at San Bernardino. Aragon uses that situation to inspire his team on its travels.

“We use the bus time to motivate them,” Aragon said, Thus far, the Pirates have traveled to Jurupa Valley, Adelanto, across town to Indian Springs and Hemet West Valley. League games will include bus trips to Rubidoux, Moreno Valley Vista del Lago, Moreno Valley, Banning and San Bernardino.

“There’s lots of parity in the league,” said Aragon, “It’s going to be fun.”

As a result of its success last season, the CIF moved Pacific up to Division 11.

Another solid season could result in the Pirates continuing their upward trend.

The league won’t be the same in 2018. With Miller and Indian Springs set to join the MVL, four teams will be from the county. There was a slight protest when Pacific and San Bernardino were placed in the MVL along with four Riverside County schools several years ago.

Aragon has also added perennial CIF title contender Citrus Hill to the 2018 schedule.

The head coach is also quick to point out he has plenty of family support. Emma, his wife of 22 years, aids him in keeping track of grades and parental support. They hosted a gathering of parents earlier in the season and attendance was greater than in previous years. His mother Debbie travels from Palmdale to the games and, according to Aragon, has one question.

“She wants to know why we don’t punt,” said Aragon. “We usually don’t, but we have twice this year. It just kills her when we don’t.”

Memories of the Markham era during his successful tenure at Bloomington.

Not that Pacific has had point many chances to kick. The Pirates have scored 134 points in four games, with the 20-10 win against West Valley the lowest total of the season.

“Our core is solid, and our frosh-soph team is undefeated,” said Aragon. “We’re playing good ball, I think we are a legit football team.

Lou Brewster is a nationally recognized motorsports journalist who has staffed NASCAR and NHRA events since 1969. Has also staffed high school football, in five different states, since 1967. Has won several national awards in writing and breaking news.

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